Russia Detains U.S. Citizen in Moscow on Suspicion of Espionage. Looks like Putin wants a hostage for leverage purposes. Generally countries kick out suspected foreign spies, not arrest them https://t.co/IcagjRquW8

#Russia's state TV praises Trump's decision to withdraw the troops from Syria and Afghanistan, shows off Rand Paul saying that "Russia is a major player on the world stage" and "Assad won the war." pic.twitter.com/WimExfUHRo

"The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then you're dead." – Donald J. Trump, The Art of the Deal, 1987. https://t.co/ENGm6uFXnn

To anyone who knows Louis CK, please deliver this message for me. My daughter was killed in the Parkland shooting. My son ran from the bullets. My wife and I deal with loss everyday. Why don't you come to my house and try out your new pathetic jokes? https://t.co/tZI9ThSciR

Um, two guys tried to assault my brother, special needs nephew and I two weeks after he got elected after they asked where we were from. We said Texas, they kept saying, “Mexico.” My story isn’t special. Where is the article for people like us? https://t.co/xThONb7Mdm

This comment by an @AP editor seems to speak more to the quality/style of reporting on the Russia probe than the probe itself. Much of the reporting in this area uses episodic framing — i.e., focusing narrowly on specific individuals & events, w/o contextualizing the news. 1/

NEWS: House Dems have decided on their approach to reopen government. Will be a Homeland CR til Feb 8 (extending existing levels of $1.3b border funding) + full-year bills on the other 6, using the bipartisan Senate versions.

Every person in America should be able to work hard, play by the same set of rules, & take care of themselves & the people they love. That’s what I’m fighting for, & that’s why I’m launching an exploratory committee for president. I need you with me: https://t.co/BNl2I1m8OXpic.twitter.com/uXXtp94EvY

McConnell said, "The whole issue of presidential harassment is interesting. I remember when we tried it in the late '90s. We impeached President Clinton. His numbers went up and ours went down and we underperformed in the next election."https://t.co/j4zIdlvgsE

Why am I not surprised that RT — the Putin propaganda network — broadcasts right-wing slurs against the Clinton Foundation? Somehow I am still surprised to see Americans spreading Putin's bullshit in our country.

just another example of RT foregrounding the Duginist network in favor of Trump's geopolitics, which are remarkably close to Russia's geopolitics, which are incredibly close to a lot of the US "anti-imperialists."🤔 commentary from Radical Vagabond here: https://t.co/vl55HicM28pic.twitter.com/9aGUblVGqz

The US President is now in open conflict with the US Congress, the US Federal Reserve, the US Secretary of Defense, China, the EU, the World Trade Organisation and a couple of others. Otherwise it’s OK.

So many kids are waiting for their gifts from Santa Claus now. I hate to tell you kids but Santa Claus is FAKE NEWS! He was created by Bob Mueller and the 17 Angry Democrats to make me look BAD! Frankly, I’d say the same about Jesus, but I need the Evangelical vote (so true!)

Read this as the President looking for a scapegoat for the markets which are falling for a whole host of reasons, some global, some cyclical and some generated by Trump himself. https://t.co/2SSUTpRCfh

A Queens foot doctor, Dr. Larry Braunstein, rented his office from the Trumps. Relatives say he was central to a diagnosis that exempted a 22-year-old Donald Trump from the Vietnam draft. https://t.co/XVuFdg3FJh

What the podiatrist got in return for diagnosing Donald Trump w bone spurs “was access to Fred Trump,” his daughter said. “If there was anything wrong in the building, my dad would call and Trump would take care of it immediately.” https://t.co/Dz3w3JQBSP

Another Trump fraud lawsuit and here the Federal Judge is protecting the plaintiffs from Trump attacks by allowing them to remain anonymous. Trump’s like a mobster. He does not belong anywhere near the White House. He’s degraded our highest office. https://t.co/YEgRLjAD0F

Russian Agents Sought Secret US Treasury Records On Clinton Backers During 2016 Campaign https://t.co/Hd2Hckm9eT <– very important article on corruption of the US Treasury Dept, which collaborated secretly with Russia; Clinton angle is small piece of bigger story

While I agree we must bring home our troops as soon as possible, there is no plan in place to address the humanitarian disaster in Syria or advance negotiated peace. We MUST end these unauthorized wars, but the manner in which we do it matters. https://t.co/pocPxCUP8X

THIS – “Pompeo, Mattis and other members of the national security team prepared a list of talking points for Trump to tell Erdogan to back off, the officials said. But Trump ignored the script. Instead, the president sided with Erdogan.” https://t.co/9jw77tRiIo

-You don’t “pass” budgets, you adopt them-Congress adopts budgets, not the President-Lack of a budget doesn’t cause a govt shutdown-House and Senate *had* a budget in 2013-Obama was open to clean CR, Rs weren’t https://t.co/czuJqJuyLh

"Trump called Mattis and said he wanted to assassinate the dictator… Mattis told the president that he would get right on it. But after hanging up the phone, he told a senior aide: 'We’re not going to do any of that.'" https://t.co/dUBY1SlrwX

I am told to expect more resignations at the Pentagon in wake of Mattis. A senior US defense official tells me: “Make no mistake – Mattis is resigning in protest over the President's national security policies," a resignation based on "principle."

General Mattis was a comfort to many who were concerned about the path the Trump Admin would choose to take. His resignation letter is defined by statements of principle — principles that drove him to leave the Administration. All of us should be concerned at this time.

This statement from @senatemajldr is probably the strongest statement he has ever made in opposition to President Trump. This is a serious signal that the winds may be shifting pic.twitter.com/ZxRmKiJzmc

The foreign policy described by Gen. Mattis today has, for nearly 3/4 century, kept us from global war, empowered our economy, helped billions escape from poverty & opened freedom’s door around the world. His service, vision & character were a blessing. He will be greatly missed.

Oh hell. I remember when Mattis, John Kelly and Tillerson made a pact that one of them would always be babysitting Trump. With Mattis gone, #PresidentLoco is now without adult supervision. Be afraid, America. Be very, afraid.

Trump: If we don't get what we want, one way or the other… I will shut down the government … So I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I'm not going to blame you for it. pic.twitter.com/zBr4gE1wrz

And I will offer again Free Sandwiches to the poor men and women of the federal government, republicans and democrats, at every restaurant of mine in DC for lunch until they get paid again! https://t.co/hHUnPrqhsF

On top of this, McConnell wouldn’t even get 50 votes to change the rules because a number of Republicans are opposed to going nuclear on legislation. Trump can float it but it’s not going to happen now https://t.co/CWn2blZ71I

It would be super cool if all the reporters citing NBC's report on Brian Kolfage's ties to fake news propaganda network that was published *two hours* after MMFA's also noted that HE IS STILL DOING IT RN THAT IS HOW HIS CAMPAIGN GOT OVER 1 MILLION FACEBOOK INTERACTIONS

So the NBC "scoop" on Mueller wrapping up comes from Justice Department sources, sounds like acting AG's office. Not buying it, based on that. Probably a (weak) warning to special counsel, using reporters.

Seriously, how can someone still pretend this is true w a straight face? He literally promised to be 'the most militaristic president ever', pushed for record military budgets, upped drone strikes to record paces, practically got horny when dropping the "Mother of All Bombs", etc pic.twitter.com/x90UxR67GJ

The Democratic Party “is” progressives. I have no idea who you’ve been talking to, but this notion that we’ve all been just partying with the oil companies and the banks until you all woke up in 2016 is a real knee-slapper. https://t.co/JAKEG3DUAO

Like this is a fundamentally un-serious, and dare I say dumb, person. This is the type of binary, facile thought you get from most 'anti-war' people. "Oh so you think 2000 soldiers pulling out is going to cause the world to end". No, but there are going to be consequences. pic.twitter.com/4eaDndSdRI

NBC News has learned Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg voted FROM HER HOSPITAL BED to refuse to let the government enforce Pres. Trump's proposed restriction on asylum. The court voted 5-4 to leave a lower court ruling in place that blocks enforcement of the crackdown. @PeteWilliamsNBC

Where would they build the wall? Whose home or ranch or farm are they going to take to build it? Which communities and habitats are they going to destroy? Reply with your best pictures of the border – let the rest of the country see what’s at stake. pic.twitter.com/9ToIXXYKp2

Two Michael Flynn associates tell us that Flynn said he was in contact with Amb. Kislyak during the campaign & discussed how Trump and Russia could work together if Trump won—while Moscow was attacking & subverting the US election. https://t.co/KMsFlu5T5k

I still think the next one on one interview w POTUS should ask basic open-ended questions like “how does ACA work,” and “what is NATO” and “what is the anti-deficiency act” and “who does meat inspection?”

As Paul Ryan leaves the national spotlight, how his tenure was covered by a credulous press corps should be cause for soul searching among reporters about which policies are considered credible in Washington and the dangers of false equivalence.

Flame if you must, but idk how you can think Sanders is a frontrunner or really all that close to it when he has near universal name id, can't hit 20% in IA or nationally in high quality polls, and is double digits behind Biden.

There are people literally cheering the demise of the ACA because they believe it will bring Medicare For All. These are the people who claim they care about the poor and working class of America. If you wonder why I don’t consider them allies, this is why.

Wikileaks encouraging people to call the Guardian’s open line, set up to raise money for refugees, to harass them because they didn’t like a story they published about Julian Assange. pic.twitter.com/KiKtfb0TO2

Jill Stein is flush with cash left over from both her 2016 presidential campaign and recount effort.But she has yet to use a dime of it to clear about $53,000 in outstanding fines for habitually submitting financial disclosures after federal deadlines. https://t.co/nPMshMbmEI

Trump’s campaign. Trump’s transition. Trump’s inauguration. Trump’s presidency. Plus Trump & family. All are now under state and federal criminal and civil investigations. This is much more damning than Watergate, and it is just getting started.

Here’s a manifesto of sorts that #GiletsJaunes are distributing. Basically they want a referendum for everything — to block laws, to change the constitution, to suppress any law they don’t like, etc. They’ve seen the wonders of the UK #Brexit referendum and are excited pic.twitter.com/GXxMDclUPW

Jason Chaffetz, speaking about Jakelin Caal Maquin, a 7 year old girl who died in the custody of US Border Patrol: "That should be the message, don't make this journey, it will kill you." pic.twitter.com/qXNsAWFyBE

Pelosi: While the district court’s absurd ruling will be immediately appealed, Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision and for the fear they have struck into millions of families across America who are now in danger of losing their health coverage.

And btw, I'm very tired of seeing "Federal judge" used instead a real person. The man who viciously attacked the healthcare of 133M Americans is named Reed O'Connor. Here he is. He's a hater, btw. Look into his rulings on Title IX and LGBTQ protection under the law. pic.twitter.com/DoESy4rFus

“Stop.”“I wasn’t there.”“I don’t know anything about that.”“Oh, I don’t do interviews on any of that stuff.”See Republican senators dodge and dismiss @seungminkim’s questions about Trump and his legal woeshttps://t.co/GwudI7Dmio

It is entirely fitting that Senator Hatch’s last act would be a mumbling abandonment of any pretense of morality or ethics followed by a mealy-mouthed walk-back via a statement written by someone less addled. https://t.co/MQ9RU5kiuZ

After Pruitt resigned, Zinke became Trump's most scandal-plagued cabinet member, with more than a dozen investigations, including one referred to the DOJ for a possible criminal inquiry: https://t.co/MvwfidR1BLhttps://t.co/jlP1fB2ZJY

Scott Walker has stripped himself of political legitimacy and assured his legacy as a puppet of GOP big money. I once thought Walker had a dangerous Nixonian cunning but over the years it’s become clear he is just dumb and anything above city government is out of his league. https://t.co/MxNtYOoUs7

Trump is so outmatched by @RepAdamSchiff that it’s not even a fair fight. I knew when he was my con law student that he was dynamite, and now it’s obvious to the world. Read this spot-on profile by another superb former student of mine, @JeffreyToobin:https://t.co/kESSsQMP1X

A federal judge in Texas has ruled to strike down the Affordable Care Act, including pre-existing conditions. Trump and @HouseGOP said they would never let that happen, but that was never the truth. This will not stand, and we will fight to #ProtectOurCare!https://t.co/QMH5ty83dB